Wahoo!

... What could possibly make me this excited after my Boxing Day slump, you ask?

Why, a computer charger of course! Danielle's roommate Aliana took my downtown today and helped me buy one. It put me out 3500 rubles (about $120) but I really needed one, so it is what it is. The good news is, the US-shaped prongs from my old dead charger are removable and will work with this new one when I get back to the US!

(Ah, such a beautiful sight)

Dylan came with us downtown and Aliana showed us a good inexpensive sushi place. Then we did some grocery shopping at the supermarket downtown (which is located in the basement of the mall, odd) and I bout real cheese! (Among other things). Since I've been here I've only eaten spreadable cheese. It's not bad, but I'm really excited to snack on hard cheese and crackers. Yum.

Also on my list of exciting things, tomorrow instead of having classes the international students and teachers are going on an "excursion" to picnic the day away. I'm not sure of the location but I know we're getting on a bus at 10 tomorrow! I'm getting pretty used to following instructions and never quite knowing where they'll take me.

Do zaftra! (That's "until tomorrow" in Russian)

Boxing Day

Hello readers,

The last few days have been quite average. The newness of the city is wearing off, my classes are starting to feel routine, and I've reached what I like to think of as the "Boxing Day Let-Down" of being in Russia. You know, that time when you realize that the excitement of Christmas is over, the anticipation has been cast aside with the wrapping paper, and New Years still feels a long ways in the future. Ah, the woes of Boxing Day.

I miss little things like popcorn and a soft mattress. I miss big things, like being able to sound intelligent in a conversation or knowing what the food I'm purchasing is made of. I miss random things, like knowing where to buy yarn or where the ceramics studio is. I miss throwing on jeans and a sweatshirt and knowing everyone else is dressed like a slob too. I miss fresh vegetables.

Today, however, things are looking alright because I FINALLY got internet in the dorms. It's not particularly fast, but it's enough to write this post! At least that's something.

Despite the Boxing Day Let-Down, I'm still really liking being here. Although my Russian has not markedly improved yet, I can tell that by the time I head back I will have learned a lot. Even though I don't have any close Russian friends yet, there are lots of people who say "priviet" as we pass in the hallways. This is just a time all travelers and holiday-revelers must face: the dreaded inbetween. But there's a light at the other end of the dark Siberian forest; I can see it.

Museum

While we were waiting for the Tiger day concert to begin (see previous post!) we went to a local history museum dowtown.

(This is what REAL Russian wilderness is like.)

(For all of you at Islands and Ocean... I found an albatross!)

(Oh hey there...)

(Ah, Russian grammar... the bane of my existence. And it's been around for so long...)

Day of the Tiger

It's a festival I've been looking forward to since my arrival in Vladivostok - День Тигрa!

Tiger day is a new holiday in Vladivostok - it's only been around since 2000 or so. It is a day created to raise awareness about the Amur tiger, the coolest cat around. The Amur tiger is the biggest tiger in the world. Unfortunately, only about 450 Amur tigers remain in the world, and 90% of them live in the Vladivostok region. Hence, a festival was born!

(The Amur tiger is basically awesome. If an Amur tiger and a bear were to engage in a fight to the death, this is what it would look like.)

Tiger day began with a parade of people wearing black and orange and some very cute children in tiger costumes. There were tiger balloons and face painting and all kinds of fair-y junk food. It was very merry. The tiger day festivities lasted late into the night with a concert at the end of the day! I of course spent all day downtown taking in the tigeryness. Save the forests, save the tigers! Yrah! 

(How many tigers can you see in this photo?)

(The announcer man had a great tiger day outfit. And mustache.)

(Look! I'm home!)

(As happy as a kid with cotton candy.)

Girl's Night In

Let me give you a taste of Vladivostok through a quick narrative of last night's activities:

Megan was sick, and didn't feel like going out. So Ithaca said, "Let's have a girls night in!"

"Ok!" said Megan. So they went to the store to purchase snacks.

They went down the escalator.

And out onto the street to the store.

Crossing the street in Russia can be quite scary.

As can going down the crumbling stairs.

But we were successful! We bought strange Russian food. Including bacon chips... which were delicious!

For a little bit, we were afraid we had broken Megans' roommate's computer. But it was just the battery! we plugged it in and watched part of an American film dubbed in Russian. It was a fabulous evening!

Also, late last night/early this morning there was a thunderstorm! It woke me up this morning at 5:00. There were sheets of rain and thunder and lightning. So of course, I opened up my window and sat and listened. I love thunderstorms! I didn't know they would have them here, so it was a lovely surprise.

The Coolest Shirt in Russia

Sneak Attack!

Megan's roommate Katya is a wonderful artist. A couple of days ago she invited us to come to a cafe downtown that her friend is the art curator at, where we understood her art would be displayed. Of course, we agreed! We basically agree to any invitation extended by a Russian.

Apparently though the purpose of our visit was lost in translation. As we rushed through the traffic-jammed streets, Katya was very concerned with getting there on time. So I asked if this was the opening night of her art. "Oh no," she said in Russian, her art wasn't up now, but it might be later. So what were we doing?

Slightly confused, we entered the cafe and went through a curtain into a room where...

There was an informal English lesson being held. Katya had brought the genuine Americans along to help! 

The lesson was all about English exclamations, centered around the phrase "D'oh!" We found this quite entertaining, since Homer Simpson is the only person who actually says d'oh... I like to envision lots of Russians running around America, forgetting their wallets in cafes and exclaiming "D'oh!"

It was an ok night even though we weren't really prepared for what we were getting ourselves into. We met a lot of enthusiastic Russians who were amazed by our English skills... for the first time in a while I didn't feel stupid in a class! ...And I'm still looking forward to seeing Katya's art up.